Death Toll From Nepal Floods Surges Past 1,000 as Tunnel Rescue Efforts Continue

The death toll from devastating floods along the China-Nepal border has surpassed 1,000, with rescue teams racing against time to locate survivors trapped in hydropower tunnels and other isolated areas.

Nepal’s disaster authorities said at least 987 people have died in the country, while Chinese state media reported 16 deaths in Tibet, bringing the combined toll from the disaster to 1,003.

The catastrophe began last Wednesday when a massive surge of freezing water, rocks and debris, triggered by a high-altitude glacial collapse, swept downstream across the Himalayan region. Entire settlements were reportedly destroyed, while roads, bridges and other infrastructure were severely damaged.

Nearly 4,500 people remain missing, according to authorities. In Nepal, the number of missing people stands at 3,916, while 546 people are reported missing in China.

Rescue operations have entered their seventh day, with Nepalese teams concentrating on several hydropower tunnels where around 100 workers are feared trapped.

Rescuers have been using digging, drilling and controlled blasting to clear tonnes of mud and debris blocking the tunnels. However, authorities said only bodies had so far been recovered from the affected tunnels.

“We are focused on search and rescue efforts at the tunnels. Our work is continuing,” Nepal Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said.

The disaster has also taken a heavy toll on foreign nationals. Nepalese authorities said 583 foreigners from more than 30 nationalities are among those missing.

Indian nationals make up one of the largest groups, with 275 Indian citizens and 128 people of Indian origin reportedly missing in Nepal. Other missing foreigners include 85 US citizens, 62 Ukrainians, 51 Malaysians, 42 Australians and 33 British nationals.

In Kathmandu, relatives of missing victims have gathered outside hospitals, posting photographs of loved ones in the hope of receiving information about their whereabouts.

Among them is 58-year-old driver Debu Sapkota, who posted photographs of his 83-year-old mother-in-law and granddaughter after they were swept away in Trishuli Bazaar.

With morgues overwhelmed by the number of bodies recovered, Nepalese authorities have begun burying unidentified victims after collecting DNA samples to aid future identification.

The disaster has also affected neighbouring India. Authorities in Uttar Pradesh have recovered 17 bodies from rivers flowing from Nepal, which are believed to be victims of the floods. The bodies have not been included in Nepal’s official death toll pending identification.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah described the disaster as “unimaginable and heartbreaking” as rescue and recovery operations continue.